I am way beyond happiness of the newly elected 44th President of the United States! I am ever mindful of those that started the conversation...those that held the dream before the dreamer spoke our hopes and wishes. I am thinking of Frederick Douglas and his tenacity. I am thinking of him and so many other men and women who paved the way with their blood, sweat and tears. I am in awe of this moment. What must it have been like to dream this day more than 100 years ago?
Excerpt from Frederick Douglas Speech, given at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society Meeting, April 1865
What the Black Man Wants:
It may be asked, "Why do you want it? Some men have got along very well without it. Women have not this right." Shall we justify one wrong by another? This is the sufficient answer. Shall we at this moment justify the deprivation of the Negro of the right to vote, because some one else is deprived of that privilege? I hold that women, as well as men, have the right to vote [applause], and my heart and voice go with the movement to extend suffrage to woman; but that question rests upon another basis than which our right rests. We may be asked, I say, why we want it. I will tell you why we want it. We want it because it is our right, first of all. No class of men can, without insulting their own nature, be content with any deprivation of their rights. We want it again, as a means for educating our race. Men are so constituted that they derive their conviction of their own possibilities largely by the estimate formed of them by others. If nothing is expected of a people, that people will find it difficult to contradict that expectation.
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13 comments:
Amen.
No Regrets,
Amen indeed.
No class of men can, without insulting their own nature, be content with any deprivation of their rights.
We all must educate ourselves to know all of our rights!
Good pull.
Everyone, especially our youth needs to read this, & know the legacy of Douglas, if only to map just how far we've come, and better appreciate the history that led to Barack's ascension.
My Sista, I am personally bursting w/ PRIDE today. Very glad I'm here to see it, along w/ several older people who lived thru Jim Crowism, Emmett Till, Medgar, Malcolm and Martin.
This day looms LARGE, yo!
Thanks for posting this piece!
Snatch JOY!
One.
red rum
my father often quotes Frederick Douglas and his speeches, yesterday's victory surely stands on the shoulders of those who fought with their lives before us.
may our ancestors be pleased!
the ancestors r definitely smiling upon us!
i a so hopeful, joyful, prideful, and just plain happy and releived, that i am exhausted... and a bit hung over (yeah, me too!)!!
Frederick Douglass is one of my heroes. Nice selection.
I had to share a lil time wit you babz.. This day was too special. This is only the start. But the dream is manifesting. Im so elated yet so humble to this.. Awe like you put it.. Be blessed babz. and keep our president in Prayer, not just for his safety either but for his growth and vision for this nation. Pride has never felt this provoking before. i feel a feeling inside i never felt upon this day. -Q.
You know how I feel about our new president...ECSTATIC!!!
Not only because he is black, but because above all else he is an intelligent man that I believe is standing in his calling.
Sista GP,
I think we will see a renewed interest in civics!
clnmike,
Thank you...can't think about today without remembering yesterday.
Moanerplicity,
Brother, I am so wit you! We are on the same wave on this.
Torrance,
LOL!
Aunt Jackie,
I think the ancestors are indeed proud.
Capcity,
Yes YES! Yes they are!
Princess,
Hung over?...that was My New Years Celebration---this election night...I am done drinking for a while! LOL!
KIT,
Thank you. Can't help but htink about those that came before.
Q,
I am missing you! I am glad you came over to say hello and spend some time! It is these times that connects us so closely. How are you?
Artist,
Yes! He is standing in his calling. That is the best line I have heard!
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